Craving cake but don't have a lot in the pantry? No problem! These easy cake recipes can be made with just a short list of ingredients.
20 Cakes to Make When Your Cupboards Are Bare
Updated on Feb. 20, 2024
7UP Pound Cake
My grandmother gave me this 7UP pound cake recipe. On top of being delicious, this 7UP cake represents family tradition, connection and love. —Marsha Davis, Desert Hot Springs, California
1/20
2/20
Dream Cupcakes
Total Time
45 min
Servings
2-1/2 dozen
From the Recipe Creator:
My grandchildren absolutely love these cream-filled cupcakes, and I hope the chocolaty treats become a favorite in your home as well. —Dorothy Bahlmann, Clarksville, Iowa
3/20
Cherry Pudding Cake
Total Time
50 min
Servings
12 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
A cross between a cake and a cobbler, this cherry dessert is awesome. Add it to your list of trusty potluck recipes, because this one is sure to go fast. —Brenda Parker, Kalamazoo, Michigan
4/20
Hazelnut Cake Squares
Total Time
35 min
Servings
15 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
When one of my daughters is asked to bring a dish to a church function, a birthday party or any special occasion, she asks me for this recipe. It is so easy to prepare because it starts with a cake mix. It doesn't need icing, so it's perfect for bake sales too. —Brenda Melancon, McComb, Mississippi
5/20
Chocolate Peanut Butter Mug Cake
Total Time
15 min
Servings
1 serving
From the Recipe Creator:
I've tried different variations of these cakes for my family and this chocolate peanut butter mug cake is a winner! I have made it with almond milk and melted coconut oil, and both ways are delicious! —Angela Lively, Conroe, Texas
6/20
Chocolate Pound Cake
Total Time
1 hour 25 min
Servings
16 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
This chocolate pound cake is one of my favorite cakes to bake. A friend of mine gave me this recipe years ago. Somehow it just gets better each time you bake it! —Doris Fletcher, Hendersonville, North Carolina
7/20
Blueberry-Lemon Upside-Down Cake
Total Time
45 min
Servings
12 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
I was young when I married, so I watched my mother-in-law to learn baking. This cake with fresh blueberries is one of her beauties. —Bonnie Roberts, Newaygo, Michigan
8/20
Peanut Butter Chocolate Poke Cake
Total Time
45 min
Servings
20 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
When my family is planning a get-together, I can count on three or four people to ask if I'm bringing this dessert. If you don't have a chocolate cake mix, use a white or yellow one and stir in 3 tablespoons baking cocoa. —Fay Moreland, Wichita Falls, Texas
9/20
Pistachio Bundt Cake
Total Time
1 hour 10 min
Servings
12 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
Pistachio pudding mix gives this moist cake a pretty tint of green. As it bakes, the outside browns nicely to form a slightly crunchy crust. The cake slices beautifully and would make a fun dessert for St. Patrick's Day.
-Becky Gant, South Bend, Indiana
10/20
Banana Chip Cake
Total Time
1 hour 5 min
Servings
16 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
This is my version of Ben & Jerry’s Chunky Monkey Ice Cream (my favorite!) in a cake. The hardest part is waiting for it to cool. —Barbara Pryor, Milford, Massachusetts
11/20
Root Beer Float Cake
Total Time
45 min
Servings
15 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
I add root beer to both the cake batter and fluffy frosting of this summery dessert to get that great root beer float taste. Serve this moist cake to a bunch of hungry kids and watch it disappear! —Kat Thompson, Prineville, Oregon
12/20
Orange-Lemon Cake
Total Time
50 min
Servings
12 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
Family and friends will love this moist cake’s refreshing citrus taste and its pretty presentation. —Ann Robinson, Bloomington, Indiana
13/20
Yellow Cupcakes
Total Time
35 min
Servings
2 dozen
From the Recipe Creator:
Nothing is better than homemade cupcakes. This yellow cupcake recipe makes delicious and fluffy treats. To top them, choose whatever frosting you want. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
14/20
Classic Chocolate Cake
Total Time
50 min
Servings
15 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
This recipe was on a can of Hershey's cocoa way back in 1943. I tried it, my boys liked it, and I've been making it ever since. I make all my cakes from scratch, and this is one of the best! —Betty Follas, Morgan Hill, California
15/20
Slow-Cooker Dump Cake
Total Time
2 hours 10 min
Servings
10 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
No matter the season, this dump cake recipe is wonderful! It works well with gluten-free and sugar-free cake mixes too. —Karin Gatewood, Josephine, Texas
16/20
Lemon Sheet Cake
Total Time
30 min
Servings
24 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
Lemon pie filling lends a splash of citrus flavor to a convenient cake mix, and a rich cream cheese frosting gives the cake sweetness. My family likes this dessert cold, so I cut it into squares and freeze it before serving. —Alyce Dubisar, North Bend, Oregon
17/20
Sour Cream Pound Cake
Total Time
1 hour 30 min
Servings
20 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
Because I'm our town's postmaster, I can bake only in my spare time. I especially enjoy making desserts such as this one. It tastes amazing as is, or tuck it under ice cream and chocolate syrup like a hot fudge sundae! —Karen Conrad, East Troy, Wisconsin
18/20
Wacky Cake
Total Time
40 min
Servings
9 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
THIS CAKE is so moist it doesn't need frosting. I simply sprinkle powdered sugar over the top. It's my favorite dessert to bring for potlucks, and there's never a piece left to take home!
-Beulah Sak, Fairport, New York
19/20
Cherry Poke Cake
Total Time
45 min
Servings
20 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
I serve this cherry cake for holidays because it's so festive and easy. No one will know your secret is adding a package of cherry gelatin to a boxed cake mix! —Margaret McNeil, Germantown, Tennessee
20/20
Contest-Winning Moist Chocolate Cake
Total Time
1 hour
Servings
12 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
You don't have to spend a lot of time to serve an elegant and delicious dessert. Just mix up the batter in one bowl, bake and get ready for people to love this moist dark chocolate cake recipe. —Christa Hageman, Telford, Pennsylvania
